Activity Cycle Management
Common Elements of Successful ACM
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A number of common elements help ensure effective ACM. These include:
Time and Resources
Attempts to short-cut ACM are rarely successful. Adequate time and resources are needed to ensure all the appropriate information is made available and there is full ownership of decision-making processes at each stage of the Activity cycle.
Stakeholder Participation
The principle of stakeholder participation in decision-making processes is particularly important. This also requires time and resources. All stakeholders (and in particular intended beneficiaries) must be involved in all stages of the cycle. A token involvement will not generate ownership.
Logical Framework Approach
The logical framework approach provides a set of analytical tools that can be used (in conjunction with other tools) throughout the Activity cycle to support good management decision-making. See NZAID Logical Framework Approach Guideline.
Objective Appraisal
Objective appraisal requires the consistent application of a common set of appraisal criteria throughout the Activity cycle. The NZAID appraisal criteria are detailed in the NZAID Activity Appraisal Guideline. They focus on:
- Relevance
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
- Impact
- Sustainability and
- Design processes.
The decision options will generally fall into the one of the following:
- Diagram 2: Appraisal Process
Appropriate Documentation
Throughout the Activity cycle a large number of documents are generated. These will vary from Activity to Activity depending on the aid modality and factors such as scale, duration and the level of risk involved. The source of these documents will also vary with many of them coming from our partners.
It is important that these documents are based on adequate and accurate data. They should contain sufficient details for proper appraisals to be performed and appropriate decisions made. NZAID may sometimes have to support partners to develop effective documentation.
Annex 1 provides an indicative list of documents which may be generated during the Activity cycle.